UP Assembly Budget 2026–27: State Transformation Commission to Anchor Data Governance Reform

In the Budget for FY 2026–27 presented, the Government of Uttar Pradesh has placed institutional reform at the centre of its data and digital strategy. A provision of ₹100 crore has been propos ed for strengthening the role of the State Transformation Commission (STC), including the establishment and operationalisation of a State Data Authority under its ambit.

Artificial Intelligence and data-led systems are now influencing every major sector - industry, agriculture, health, urban services. Infrastructure such as data centres will power this shift. But infrastructure alone is not enough. Governance systems must also keep pace. This is where the State Transformation Commission is being positioned to intervene in a more structured way.

At present, departmental data systems remain largely siloed. Information is often compiled afresh at district, block and village levels whenever required. In some cases, numbers vary depending on the source or the timing of collection. Sample surveys continue to be relied upon where real-time data capture is possible. This affects both planning accuracy and outcome measurement.

The proposed State Data Authority, to function under the State Transformation Commission, is intended to correct these structural gaps. The effort is to move toward real-time, standardised and beneficiary-level data systems across departments. The objective is to ensure reliable data that can support policy decisions, budget prioritisation and district-level monitoring without repeated duplication of effort.

The Commission will be tasked with building a unified state-level data architecture. This includes improving integration across departments, reducing inconsistencies, and enabling geo-specific analysis so that gaps can be identified not only at the state level but at district and block levels as well. The intent is not merely digitisation, but coherence.

This reform assumes importance in the context of Uttar Pradesh’s stated economic goals, becoming a one trillion dollar economy by 2029 and progressing toward six trillion dollars by 2047. Such targets require sharper measurement systems. Without credible and timely data, planning remains reactive.

In parallel, the State Transformation Commission continues to serve as the nodal agency for large-scale structural initiatives, including the development roadmap for Data Centre Clusters in the state. While the infrastructure push focuses on building computing capacity and attracting long-term investment, the State Data Authority is designed to strengthen governance capacity. One builds physical capability, while the other builds institutional credibility.

The ₹100 crore provision in the 2026–27 Budget is therefore not a routine allocation. It signals a shift from fragmented data handling to a more disciplined, integrated framework under a single coordinating institution. Further operational guidelines will be issued as the Commission moves to implement the proposed framework.